Think like an attacker

Think like an attacker

Think like an attacker, before you go out getting into this mind-set
could save you from attack, simply by double checking things like how are your
dressed? Are your clothes tight fitting with uncomfortable shoes? If so, then an
attacker will see this to his advantage as you’re not dressed likely to be free
to escape by running away.

Are you going out with headphones on? If so, an attacker will
see this to his advantage as it will distract you from paying attention, he
sees you as an easier target than someone who is more aware without headphones.
The attacker selects you as his target and moves in.

Are you walking around draped in gold and expensive jewelry? If
so, then an attacker will see this as a very appealing target as you are
basically walking around with dollar signs on yourself.

Basically, think like an attacker and you can give yourself a
huge advantage by not doing certain things that will make you a target for
attack. If you can be aware and realize you make a appealing target before
going out and change your appearance, then at least an attacker wont get the
chance to see you this way.

Be A Bad Target

Often times a predator
will choose his targets based on some conception of risk vs. reward. The
predator wants to get one or more things out of the attack (reward) and
minimize his chance of getting injured or caught in the process (risk). There
are exceptions, as some predators may be reckless, mentally ill, without
self-worth, suicidal, or under the influence of drugs. But consider that very
few robbers will attempt to rob a policeman in uniform, but many will rob a well-dressed
woman with an expensive purse, lots of jewelry, and headphones in her ears.
Anything you can do to increase the risk and decrease the rewards for a
potential predator, will decrease the chance that you’ll be chosen as a target,
again, think like an attacker.

Increasing Risks

In general, a predator
will choose victims they think they can successfully attack. While you can’t
change your age, height, and gender, there are some things you can do to make
yourself a higher risk target. Paying attention to your surroundings is a big
one, but if a predator sees he’ll be unable to take you by surprise, he’ll
probably choose a target who is paying less attention. Walking around with
headphones in your ears, listening to music, talking on the phone, or texting,
is a sure sign you’re not paying attention. Avoid these behaviors, especially
in isolated areas. Along similar lines don’t get drunk in public. Drunk people
make perfect victims.

When people are
physically fit, it shows. And attacking a fit person is riskier than attacking
one who is visibly out of shape. Aside from the mental and physical benefits,
regular exercise and weightlifting will make you a higher risk target to the
attacker.

The clothing a person
is wearing can inhibit movement. Who would you prefer to attack, a woman in a
tight skirt with high heal shoes, or a woman wearing jeans and running shoes?
The clothing and shoes a person wears can tell a predator a lot about them.
Wear clothing that allows you to move well.

One person is easier
to attack than two, two people are easier to attack than three, and so on.
While groups can get attacked, the more people you’re with, the lower your
chances will be.

If you know how to use
it, carrying a visible weapon can significantly increase the risk to a
potential attacker. Would you rather attack a woman with pepper spray in her
hand, or one with nothing? Think about the type of person you’d choose to
attack if you needed to get money today, if you were a rapist, or if you wanted
to beat someone up to prove your manhood. What behaviors, qualities, and conditions
would make you more likely to attack them? What behaviors, qualities, and
conditions would make you less likely to attack them? Think like an attacker.

Decreasing Rewards

Again, you can’t
change certain aspects of your physicality. But you can change aspects of your
behavior that would be rewarding to a predator. What does wearing expensive
clothing and jewelry tell a predator looking for money? What kind of car do you
drive, and what does it tell a potential predator? What does wearing revealing
clothing show a man who is already thinking about rape? (It’s not fair, but it
is true.) Think about what you’d look for in a victim, in terms of rewards, and
eliminate those as best you can. When a woman carries a purse, it wouldn’t be
foolish to assume there are objects in it, potentially valuable objects,
especially if it’s an expensive, name-brand purse. If you do need to pass
through a high-risk area, don’t carry or wear anything that will appeal to a
predator. This includes laptops, smart phones, and any other high value items you
may carry in your hand or wear on your body. Think like an attacker.

Obstacles & Home
Security

The more obstacles a
potential predator has to deal with, the more likely he’ll choose an easier
target. Would you prefer to break into a home with a visible camera, motion
sensing lights, window bars, a barking dog, and an obvious alarm system, or one
with no sign of preventative obstacles? In addition to the deterrent quality of
obstacles, some can stop an attacker dead in his tracks. If you do have an
alarm system, use it!

Keep your home, car
doors, and windows locked. Don’t open the door for strangers. A locked door is
an obstacle that requires far more effort to get through than one that is
unlocked. And when that locked door has a sign next to it from an alarm
company, and a dog barking behind it, there are very few predators that won’t
leave for another home.

Some predators will
walk a neighborhood pretending to be a handyman, knocking on doors to see who
is home, who isn’t, who opens doors, and what’s inside. Again, do not open the
door for strangers. Use blinds or curtains so it’s difficult for a predator to
easily see inside your house. Use motion activated lights around your house.

Predators don’t want
to be seen and will avoid getting close to a motion activated light. The more
obstacles you can set up between you and an attacker, the harder it will be for
him to reach you, and the more likely it will be that he’ll chose another
victim.

Have a plan for home
invasions, and make sure everyone in your home knows that plan. Your plan will
vary depending on the size and layout of your home, where the exits are, how
many people live in it, their ages, etc. When making your plan, remember that
the goal isn’t to kill an intruder, but to keep yourself and your family safe.
Escaping may be your first priority, particularly if you know where the
intruders are coming in, have barriers between them and your family, and a safe
way to exit. If you do have motion sensing lights, locked doors and windows, an
alarm system, and an alert dog, it’s highly unlikely your home will be chosen.
If it is, each of these barriers will act as layers in your security system,
alerting you to the progress of the intruders.

Although you won’t be
there to attack, if you go out of town, make sure you have a neighbor pick up
your mail and remove flyers each day. Some predators will place flyers on or in
front of doors, or on car windshields, to see if they get removed. If they
don’t get removed, they can assume you’re out of town. Think like an attacker.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

It’s always better to
be aware and mindful, not just for self-defense. Get into the habit.

Most people do the
same things day after day, week after week, month after month. You should be
aware of what’s normal in your neighborhood, where you walk your dog, in and
around public transit areas, in and around your place of work, in the grocery
store parking lot, and everywhere else you go. What kind of people do you
normally see? What do they normally wear? What are they normally doing?

When something or someone is out of place, take note.

Why is there an adult
man hanging around a children’s playground if he doesn’t have a child? Why is
there a man leaning against a wall or peeking out from a recessed doorway? Why
did those three guys split up but keep walking toward me? Why is that man wearing
a jacket in the summer? Why does that kid have one hand behind his back? I’ve
never seen that guy before…what’s he doing in my neighborhood?

People naturally have
good instincts, and it’s extremely common for victims of crime after the fact
to say they had a bad feeling about a situation, that something or someone
didn’t seem right. But they ignored it. When you’ve got a bad feeling, pay
attention to it!

Predators will use
social conventions to their advantage. They know that it’s rude to be rude, and
that nice people don’t want to be rude. They know you’ll feel strange crossing
the street when they’re walking toward you, and that you probably won’t. They
know you probably won’t tell them to get out of your face when they come too
close, or that you’ll shake their hand when they put it out for you. The most
dangerous predators won’t seem like predators on the surface, but odds are,
you’ll know something isn’t right. They’ll be where they don’t belong, or
they’ll be doing something a normal person wouldn’t do. It may be something
small, but if you’re aware and paying attention, you’ll see it. And you don’t
have to be paranoid. You simply need to be aware and pay attention to your
feelings. Think like an attacker.

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Author: selfdefensespecialist

I`m Nigel Taylor – originally from England – owner of The Backyard Gym in Round Rock Texas. We specialize in personal training, kickboxing cardio and self-defense. With over 25 years experience as a personal trainer, I know what works! From weight loss to bulking up to toning up, I can help you get your desired look and achieve your fitness goals. I can also offer you the privacy of a 100% private personal training studio in which to enjoy and get the most out of your workouts.
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About Me

I`m Nigel Taylor, originally from England, now living in Round Rock Texas. I have been in the fitness industry for over 25 years, specializing in Self-defense and kickboxing, as well as personal training sessions. I like to offer something a little different. Something for everyone is my goal.